This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
Caroline Nyawira's health problems began with a simple cold in 2015, but it was a turning point in her life that would lead to a long and arduous journey with systemic lupus.
Published on August 19, 2019, in Sunday Magazine, Caroline's story is one of resilience and determination.
At the time, Caroline was a high school student who was 'happy-go-lucky' and making plans for her future. However, her life took a drastic turn when she began experiencing spells of dizziness and fatigue, which were initially dismissed as a cold.
As the symptoms persisted, Caroline's condition worsened, and she was eventually admitted to Mathari Consolata Hospital in Nyeri for two months without a proper diagnosis. It was only later that she was diagnosed with systemic lupus, a condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy organs.
Caroline's journey with lupus was marked by numerous hospital admissions, including a six-month stint at the hospital, during which she experienced the worst damage to her body. She developed large sores that left permanent marks on her body, and she was forced to abandon physiotherapy due to the pain.
However, in 2017, Caroline experienced a miracle – she regained strength in her legs and could walk again. Today, she is a first-year commerce student at KCA University, but her scars are a constant reminder of her struggles with lupus.
Caroline now manages her condition by visiting the clinic every month and taking her medication daily. Her biggest challenge is balancing her studies with the demands of her disease, which can leave her feeling extremely fatigued. She also struggles with the financial burden of her treatment, which costs up to Sh15,000 monthly.
